Stacking and ganging furniture construction



Dec. 1, 1964 c. J. ENGSTROM 3,159,425

STACKING AND GANGING FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

FIG. 4. FIG. 5.

FIG. 8

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54 43 45 INVENTOR.

CA RL J EA/GSTROM QWWQ Dec. 1, 1964 c. J. ENGSTROM 3,159,425 STACKING AND GANGING FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

0 R1. J was TKO/VI United States Patent Ofl 3,159,425 Patented Dec. 1, 1964 3,159,425 STACKING AND GANGING FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Iarl 3. Engstrom, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Royalmetal Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 224,449 1 Claim. (Cl. 297-243) This invention relates in general to the furniture contruction art, and more specifically to a base structure for urniture that is so constructed and arranged that two r more similar items of furniture may be stacked one on do other in a column or alternatively disposed one adwent to the other in interlocking relationship.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved ase structure for use in furniture to enable the furniture 3 be readily stacked one on the other or ganged in a ow in interlocking relationship which is relatively inxpensive to fabricate, and positive in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relavely lightweight, yet sturdy base structure for furniture hich requires a minimum of servicing or handling.

Still another object is to provide a furniture base con- :ruction having a pair of corresponding front and rear :gs interconnected by novel complementary side braces onstructcd and disposed so as to facilitate either ganging r stacking of two or more similar furniture items.

A feature of this invention resides in a provision that 1e novel side braces, which in the illustrated embodiient are each formed as an integral loop, interconnected t its respective end portions to and between the correionding front and rear leg members of the base con- .ruction.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing ob- :cts, features and advantages of this invention are atiined by a base construction which is applicable for use 1 the manufacture of chairs, tables and other like pieces f furniture. Essentially the base construction comprises base member, e.g. the seat portion of a chair, or a able top of a table, supported on corresponding front nd rear legs which are rectangularly disposed. The oveity of the instant invention resides in the provision of base construction which is specifically arranged so as I facilitate the ganging or stacking of two or more simirly constructed pieces of furniture. In accordance with [is invention, this result is accomplished by constructing lCh leg member with a knee portion which extends slightbeyond the width of the base member supported by lfi respective leg members. The respective pairs of cor- :sponding front and rear legs are preferably arranged that the opposed pair of front legs and opposed pair F rear legs are disposed in substantially panallel relaonship when reviewed from the front of the furniture. hen reviewed from the side, the respective front and :ar legs are inclined inwardly toward each other at the sper end thereof. Means in the form of novel side -aces are provided for interconnecting each front leg ith its corresponding rear leg. As illustrated, the reiective side braces are each constructed as an integral op which are specifically arranged so that in stacking 70 or more similarly constructed base portions, the aper cross piece of each side loop or brace rests on the lee portions of the next lower base construction. The wer cross pieces of the respective loops are formed with complementary interlocking means so that in ganging, the adjacent lower cross pieces will engage in interlocking relationship.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a relatively simple, yet positive acting ganging and stacking base construction.

Other features and advantages will be more readily apparent when considered in view of the specifications and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a chair construction embodying the instant inventive concept.

FIG. 2 is the right side view of the chair construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary left side view of the chair construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of the right side brace taken along lines 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the left side brace taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the chair construction of FIG. 1 stacked in a column one on the other.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the chair construction as shown in FIG. 1 ganged in adjacent relationship with complementary braces of adjacent chairs interlocked.

FIG. 8 is a detail front view illustrating the relative position of the complementary side br-aces when the chairs are ganged in interlocking relationship.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 99 of FIG. 8.

While the improved base construction, in accordance with this invention, is readily applicable for use in construction of tables, desks and the like, for purposes of illustration and description the instant invention is disclosed as applicable to a chair construction which can be stacked one on the other, or ganged in a row one next to the other in interlocking relationship.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the chair construction 20 embodying the instant invention comprises a base or seat portion 21 and a back portion 22. The back portion 22 is secured to the seat portion 21 by a pair of L-shaped brackets 23. Accordingly, the back portion 22 is attached to the upright arm 24 of the respective L-shaped brackets by suitable fasteners, as for example, screws or the like (no-t shown) and the seat portion 21 is secured to the horizontal arms 25 of the L-shaped brackets 23 by means of fasteners 26, such as screws which extend through flanges 27 which are formed integral with horizontal arms 25 of the L-shaped brackets 23.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the two front and two rear legs of the chair are formed of substantially similarly shaped U-shaped members 28, 29. As shown, U-shaped member 28 defines the front pair of leg members 30, 31 which are interconnected by a bight portion 32. U-shaped member 29 defines the rear pair of leg members 33, 34 interconnected by a bight portion 35.

FIG. 1 illustrates the opposed front legs 30, 31 and the opposed rear legs 33, 34 which are disposed so as to be substantially parallel with respect to one another. Preferably, the bight portions 32, 35 of the respective U-shaped member 28, 29 are secured below the seat 21 as by welding 36 to the horizontal arms 25 of the respective L-sh aped brackets 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the respective front and correspondingly rear legs of U- shaped member 28, 29 are disposed so that they incline upwardly and inwardly toward one another. In accordance with this invention the bight portions 32, 35 of the respective U-shaped members 28, 29 extend slightly beyond the width of the seat portion 21 and provide knee portions 37 at their junction with their associated legs.

A side brace 38 is interconnected between front leg 30 and corresponding rear leg 33. A complementary side brace 39 is interconnected between the other front leg 31 and its corresponding rear leg 34. Each of the side braces 38, 39, as is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, is preferably formed as an integral loop. It will be understood however that this form is illustrated for exemplary purposes and that the inventive concept may be utilized in other Ways. For example, it is possible to employ a side brace made of several parts, e.g., utilizing only the upper and lower cross pieces of the respective loops which would then be secured at their respective end portions to the respective chair legs.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 the side brace 39 comprises an integral loop having an upper cross portion 40 and a spaced lower cross portion 41 interconnected by opposed end portions 42. The lower portions 43 of the respective end portions 42 of loop 39 are angularly disposed outwardly so as to space the lower cross portion 41 laterally outwardly of an imaginary plane coincident with leg members 31, 34. Intermediate the opposed ends of loop 39, the lower cross portion 41 thereof is bent so as to define an inverted U-shaped latch portion 44. The depending sides 45 of the U-latch 44 extends vertically from the end portions of the lower cross piece 41. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, the inverted U-shaped latch 44 is vertically disposed, and laterally spaced outwardly of the plane containing front legs 31 and corresponding rear leg 34.

The side brace 38, connected between the pair of legs 30 and 33, is so constructed as to complement side brace 39 when two or more chairs are ganged in a row. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 8 and 9 the side brace 38 comprises an integral loop comprising an upper cross piece 50 and a spaced lower cross piece 51 interconnected by opposed end portions 52. The lower part 53 of the end portion 52 of the loop 38 is bent angularly outwardly of the imaginary plane coincident with legs 30, 33 so that the lower cross piece 51 will be disposed laterally outwardly of the plane. Referring to FIG. 3, the lower cross piece 50 intermediate the ends thereof is provided with spaced upright bent portions 54 forming a catch portion, the upper ends of which are bent substantially 90 from the same plane therewith as indicated by 55 to form a catch piece. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 the opposed bent portions 54 are interconnected by a laterally disposed portion 56 which projects outwardly. The ends of the portion 56 are connected to the portions 55 by an S-shaped curved portion 57. A space is thereby provided between portions 56 and portions 55. It will be understood that portions 55, 56 and 57 of loop 38 provide a catch in which the inverted latch 44 of loop 39 may be interlockingly engaged when the chairs are ganged.

Each of the respective side braces 38, 39 are connected to and between their respective front and rear legs in order that a major part of the respective end portions of the loops will be located on a plane coincident with the respective front and corresponding rear leg members. The upper cross pieces 40 and 50 of the side braces 39 and 38, respectively, are located on a plane coincident with the front and near legs connected thereto, Whereas the lower cross pieces 41 and 51 of the respective side braces 39, 38 are laterally offset outwardly of the plane containing the upper cross pieces. When stacking similarly constructed chairs, one on the other as shown in FIG. 6, the upper cross pieces 40, 50 of the respective side braces are arranged to rest on the laterally extended knee portions 37 of the respective legs. This is accomplished by reason of the fact that the lower cross pieces 41, 51 of the respective side braces are spaced laterally outwardly of the plane containing the upper cross pieces of the side braces. Accordingly, the vertical spacing of the side braces 38, 39 is such that when stacked a space is provided between the respective seat portions 21 of the chairs. The respective seats 21 are therefore not subject to damage during stacking as contact between the seat portions of stacked chairs is prevented.

When desired, two or more chair constructions, as described, may be joined together or ganged one adjacent to the other to form a row of interlocked seats. To accomplish this result it is only necessary to position one chair next to another in such fashion tht the inverted U- shaped latch 44 of a brace 39 on one chair slides into position wherein it interlocks with the complementary catch 56 of side brace 38 of the next adjacent chair as shown in FIGS. 8, 9. When the respective chairs are placed on the supporting surface or floor, the inverted U-shaped latch 44 of brace 39 on one chair is firmly int-erlocked with the catch 56 of a complementary brace 38 of the next adjacent chair. In this manner, any number of chairs may be ganged or interlocked in a row. Consequently, when the chairs are so joined the spacing and alignment between the respective chairs is automatically determined, and relative movement between adjacent chairs is prevented as a result of the interlocking relationship.

The chairs may, of course, be used individually. The respective side braces are somewhat similar in appearance. Therefore, the brace constructions do not detract from the appearance of the chairs when the chairs of the instant construction are used independently.

From the foregoing description it will be readily apparent that each of the side braces may be formed as an integrally closed loop from a suitable bar or wire stock material. Each is constructed and arranged so as to serve as an efiicient means for both stacking the chairs one onto the other, or for ganging them in a row one next to the other, while at the same time providing for a rigid interconnection between the front and rear legs.

Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

An improved ganging and stacking chair adapted to be stacked in a column one on the other or ganged in a row one next to the other in interlocking relationship comprising a seat portion, a back portion, a pair of substantially L-shaped brackets connecting said back portion to said seat portion, a pair of substantially identical U- shaped members, said members defining a pair of parallel front legs and corresponding rear legs with an interconnecting bight portion by which each of said pair of legs are secured beneath said seat portion, the bight portion of each of said members extending slightly beyond the width of said seat portion to define a knee portion with the legs connected thereto, and complementary side braces interconnecting a front leg with its corresponding rear leg, each of said side braces including a heavy gauge wire loop having an upper cross piece, a lower cross piece, and interconnecting end portion, said end portion of the respective side brace having a major part thereof connected to the inside portions of the front leg and its corresponding rear leg so that the said major part and upper cross piece therebetween lies substantially in a plane coincident with said corresponding front and rear legs, and said end portion of the respective loops adjacent the bottom thereof being bent outwardly of said plane so that the lower cross pieces therebetween are laterally spaced outwardly of said corresponding pair of legs, the lower cross piece of one side brace being bent to define an integral upright coplanar inverted U-shaped latch portion intermediate the ends thereof, the lower cross piece of said other side brace being bent to define an integral upright coplanar inverted U-shaped catch portion with the bight of the last-mentioned U-shaped portion being bent outwardly at substantially right angles to form a horizontal catch piece, the ends of the catch piece in horizontal position being eoncaved inwardly and dimensioned to engage between the vertical legs of said U-shaped latch piece, each said catch piece being adapted to receive the latch portion of said one side brace of another identical chair construction when two of said chair eonstructions are ganged one next to the other in a row to interlock two chairs, and whereby the upper cross pieces of each of said side braces of one chair are adapted to rest on the knee portions of another similarly constructed chair when two of said chairs are stacked in a column one on the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

